Plumbing discussions and local services.
simba_paws
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RE: Half flush never seems to work right - am I missing something?
Couldn’t agree more about the float height - people underestimate how much half an inch can matter with these things. I’ve had a few jobs where the “eco” flush was basically just a decorative button until we tweaked the ...
RE: Making sure your home’s pipes are up to code - how I do it
Leak sensors are one of those things you don’t really appreciate until you’re standing in a puddle at some ungodly hour, wondering how fast water can actually spread. I’ve seen folks spend thousands fixing up cabinets an...
RE: When is it time to swap out old pipes?
When Is It Time To Swap Out Old Pipes? Funny timing - I was just at a job last month where I patched a pinhole in a copper line, only to get called back six weeks later for a leak about a foot down the same run. The hom...
RE: my shower's gone rogue and sprays everywhere but down
Funny how “self-cleaning” always seems to mean “you’ll be cleaning this yourself, just slightly less often.” I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to fish out a rogue gasket or dig out a chunk of calcium with a bent...
RE: How would I remove this stem to replace it?
Yeah, I’ve used both - wet rags especially. They do help, but it’s not foolproof. Once I thought I was being careful and still ended up with a scorched stud. Old houses are full of surprises... sometimes I just wish ever...
RE: How would I remove this stem to replace it?
Yeah, I’ve definitely been there - sometimes it feels like those stems are fused on by spite alone. I usually try a little gentle back-and-forth rocking after the penetrating oil’s had time to work in. Not sure if it’s j...
RE: LOW SHOWER PRESSURE: DOES THAT BOOSTER PUMP REALLY WORK?
LOW SHOWER PRESSURE: DOES THAT BOOSTER PUMP REALLY WORK? That “rusty oatmeal” description is spot on - seen that more times than I care to admit. Once found a shower line so caked with mineral crud, I had to chip it out...
RE: Under Sink Hookup vs. Dedicated Drain Line: Which Is Better for Dishwashers?
Under Sink Hookup vs. Dedicated Drain Line: Which Is Better for Dishwashers? Funny enough, I’ve seen more water lines get hit than you’d think - usually when someone’s drilling blindly to mount something or running new ...
RE: When is it time to swap out old pipes?
I’ve run into that exact scenario more times than I can count - patching the same stretch of pipe, thinking you’re buying time, and then one day you’re standing in a puddle at 2am. It’s wild how fast a “small” leak can t...
RE: When the Toilet Floods at Midnight: My DIY Save
Tried the rubber gaskets a couple times - honestly, I’m still on the fence. They’re definitely cleaner to work with, but I’ve seen them leak if the flange isn’t perfectly level or if there’s any wobble in the toilet. Wax...
RE: Plumber on speed dial vs. plumbing apps - what's your go-to?
I hear you on the tech front - those smart detectors are a neat idea, but in practice, they’re kind of like smoke alarms: only as reliable as their weakest part. I’ve seen folks get a false sense of security from gadgets...
RE: Thermostat acting weird, DIY fix or call a pro?
Had a similar thermostat headache a while back at my parents' place - built around the same era, no C-wire either. Initially, I figured I'd just pop in one of those extender kits and call it a day, but things got messy p...